§ MR. M'CARTANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of inmates in the lunatic department of the Belfast Workhouse on the 14th of December last, and also the number of deaths of inmates there since that date; and whether he has yet come to any decision as to the desirability of holding a sworn inquiry into the conduct and management of the department, the mode of admitting patients, their treatment, 803 and generally into the working of the establishment?
R. J. MORLEY; The number of inmates in the lunatic department of the Belfast Workhouse on the date mentioned was 505, and 99 persons have since been admitted to the department, making a total of 604 under treatment. Out of this number there have been 43 deaths. With regard to the second paragraph, I have received from Dr. O'Farrell, one of the Inspectors of Lunatic Asylums, a Re-port in reference to an inspection made by him within the last day or two of the lunatic department of this workhouse. The total number of deaths in the present year represents, no doubt, a very excessive mortality, but Dr. O'Farrell informs me that, with one exception, the deaths were all due to natural causes. He further points out that to compare the mortality of a lunatic ward in a workhouse with that of a lunatic asylum would be manifestly unfair. Dr. O'Farrell carefully investigated the circumstances attending the death of the man Casey, about whom my hon. Friend recently questioned me, and he is of opinion that no blame attaches in the case either to the medical officer or to the night attendant. After a careful perusal of Dr. O'Farrell's Report, I do not think there are any grounds for directing a further inquiry to be held into the management of the lunatic department of this workhouse. He will shortly prepare for the information of the Guardians a report on the state in which he found the department, and make certain suggestions as to the selection of attendants in the department.
DR. KENNYWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the desirability of producing legislation as soon as possible for the removal of lunatics to more suitable places than workhouses? Do not the authorities agree as to the necessity of State lunatic asylums?
MR. T. M. HEALYThe right hon. Gentleman has told us he has had a Bill on the subject prepared. Will he, in view of the shocking state of affairs known to exist, push it forward as rapidly as possible?
MR. J. MORLEYThere are many questions to be considered in connection 804 with the transfer of lunatics. It is quite true that the Bill is ready, but the state of business in the House makes it very difficult to bring it forward.